Gig review: Maruja at Rescue Rooms

Before the main event, experimental Irish noise punk band Nerves took to the stage armed with harsh sounds and a passionate performance. At one point, a violin bow was picked up and used on an electric guitar to create strange metallic noises to further their off-kilter edgy sound. If anybody’s ears needed unclogging, Nerves certainly had the tools to do so. At times, it was almost overstimulating but this felt like an intentional choice in some of their frenetic and almost panicked moments. There were hardcore and new wave influences weaving about within their sound as well, offering an intriguing sound that left Nottingham music fans curious to find out more. Nerves definitely would have gained some followers that night, and for good reason. 

Kicking off proceedings with Bloodsport, Maruja sent a powerful call to action with biting raps, commanding basslines and intense, rolling rimshots. Cries of “Complicit crossfire / No vision, live wire” echoed out from the crowd, with fists raised high into the air. What Maruja have in swathes is both fight and heart, and the evening would come to serve both within the hour and a half that the band spent on stage. The stage was awash with a fitting sea of red as the band set out their stall for what was to come. 

The band made clear their solidarity with the people of Palestine, leading a chant which was met with mass enthusiasm in return. As the title of their debut would suggest, Maruja are curious about power, and are keen to challenge oppressive structures that do not serve the people. Their epic performance of Look Down on Us was a major highlight of the evening, with Wilkinson spitting visceral descriptions of the vulture figures that take advantage. It’s abundantly clear this one has really struck a chord with fans. 

There is a spirituality and a holisticness to the approach of Maruja, though, amidst all the angst and bite that they offer. The messaging of Saoirse, one of the more vulnerable and delicate moments of the night captures this: “it’s our differences that make us beautiful.”

This idea of coming together and celebrating each other feels even more sentimental in a room full of other people - this is where Maruja’s magic is best enjoyed. Ultimately, their message is one of peace, and this remained a constant throughout, despite some of the snarling bass licks and jagged sax.

Maruja combine noisiness with experimentation. The former in particular lends very nicely to a healthy pit, which remained in session throughout the evening. Saxophonist Joe Carroll on multiple occasions wandered in to be part of the action and spread things out. Carroll’s technical mastery on the saxophone is something to behold, but what really makes him such a breathtakingly awesome performer to both watch and listen to is the emotional energy that exudes from him on stage. Easily, Carroll is one of the most impressive musicians on the touring circuit right now - he moved with ease between being bold, brassy and almost threatening at all the right points to producing gorgeous, swelling melodies that looked and sounded like they’d been sourced directly from his very being. It’s becoming more and more common to see saxophones in post-punk and indie music, but none quite like this. There was one point where a song was coming to its end, and the notes slowly turned him breathing into his saxophone like it was just an extension of his body and it was such a beautiful, delicate moment that perfectly captured the essence of the wider band’s performance. 

Overall, there was a lot of fun to be had spending an evening with Maruja. This is a band definitely worth getting excited about, and one to catch next time they’re in Notts.

Maruja performed at Rescue Rooms on 8th November 2025.

@marujaofficial